The most valuable non-quarterback in the NFL is likely going to be players who are elevating a passing offense to heights higher than one would expect from quarterback play alone. That’s Hopkins. Whether his quarterback is Matt Schaub, Case Keenum, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Mallett, Brian Hoyer, Brock Osweiler, Tom Savage or Watson, Hopkins has shined since being selected as a first-round pick out of Clemson in 2013, earning the 40th, 12th, fourth, 23rd, fourth and best overall grade among receivers in that span, respectively. In terms of yards per route run, our seminal metric for efficiency for pass catchers, Hopkins is averaging 2.46 yards per route run this season, bested only by players like Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill and T.Y. Hilton. This has contributed to Hopkins being worth over 8.5 wins above a replacement during his career. Assuming a team of replacement players is equivalent to a 3-13 team, that’s good for almost a third of Houston’s total shares during that period. Truly remarkable.

Hopkins has collected 94 passes for 1,321 yards and 11 touchdowns. In Week 15’s 29-22 win over the New York Jets, the former Clemson Tiger hauled in 14-yard touchdown catch that was the go-ahead score and executed Houston’s game-winning drive.